Tiago Ilori, who joined Liverpool in 2013 with high expectations, left the club in 2017 without making a single appearance in the Premier League. The former Sporting Lisbon defender, who was once hailed as a “star of the future” by then-Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, reflects on his disappointing stint at Anfield.
Ilori, who played only three matches for Liverpool during his time there, spent much of his tenure on loan at various clubs. Despite being seen as a promising talent, he failed to make any Premier League appearances and eventually transferred to Reading in 2017. The 31-year-old defender expressed regret about his move to Liverpool, stating, “Joining Liverpool was foolish, that was my mistake.”
“I Should Have Stayed at Sporting”
Ilori attributes his lack of success at Liverpool to his own mistakes. He believes he was not mentally prepared for the pressures of joining a big club at a young age, saying, “If I had stayed at Sporting Lisbon for another season and prepared myself better, things might have turned out differently.”
During his time at Liverpool, Ilori faced challenges such as injuries, loan spells, and limited playing opportunities, ultimately leading to his transfer to Reading. Reflecting on his time at Anfield, Ilori admitted, “Back then, I was thinking short-term and didn’t make any long-term plans. I didn’t realize I needed to work harder.”
Ilori’s career took a downturn after leaving Liverpool in 2017. Even a return to Sporting Lisbon did not revive his fortunes, marking a continued decline in his football career. Today, Tiago Ilori’s Liverpool career is remembered as a story that began with great promise but ultimately ended in disappointment.
